volunteers gathering specimen by pond

Dragonfly Mercury Project

Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park

Special Event
  • Sep 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM
  • Free

Register

Register as a volunteer for this community science opportunity by Friday, September 11.

Support scientific monitoring of park ecosystem by collecting dragonfly larvae samples from the Pogue to be sent to an outside laboratory for mercury concentration testing. Dragonflies are an indicator species and this data provide high-quality data on mercury contamination and risk. Since 2009, over 8,500 volunteers have helped collect dragonfly larvae for scientists to analyze for mercury. This work has happened in more than 190 national parks and other protected areas.

Volunteers will participate in a park-led training and safety briefing at the Forest Center before hiking 1.5 miles uphill to the sample site (3 miles in total). Along the edge of a mountain pond, volunteers will use dip-nets to collect and identify dragonfly larvae. Volunteers should be able to safely bend, knell, lift, and travel over uneven ground and must be age 12 and above. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No prior experience needed.

Register for this community science opportunity by Friday, September 11.

More information

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Parking is located at the Billings Farm & Museum, just off Route 12, 1/2 mile north of Woodstock. To Enter Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park on Foot from Parking: 1. Take the paved path to the right of the Billings Farm & Museum Visitor Center. 2. Walk up, cross the street, and walk past the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller entrance sign. 3. Take the right fork and walk 1/8 mile to reach the Forest Center.

Latitude and Longitude 43.632554, -72.518257

Schedule

Date:

Sep 13, 2026

Time:

9:00 AM

Duration:

4 hours

Contact Information

Della Johnson
802-457-3368
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Volunteer Event
Tags: dragonfly mercury project, community science, volunteer